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Friday, December 18, 2009

Book Review: A Not-So-Silent Night by Verlyn D. Verbrugge


Sent to me as a complimentary copy from Goodreads.com, A Not-So-Silent Night piqued my interest, as it presented some very interesting ideas to ponder during this Advent season.  Dr. Verlyn D.Verbrugge has written a slim yet interesting treatise that urges his readers to take another look at the birth of Christ.

Traditionally, Christmas has been celebrated as a time of joy, peace and light.  Verbrugge takes a different viewpoint.  If you consider why Christ came into the world, His birth ushered in a new era of spiritual and physical conflict.  The heralding angels should really be seen as soldiers of a heavenly army, declaring their readiness to their Commander in Chief.  Essentially, "Christmas is the beginning of war." (p.74)

While I felt that Verbrugge was a bit heavy-handed with his depiction of Christ's birth as a death-scented occasion, there were a number of points made that have made me appreciate this holiday in a deeper way.  His portrayal of the trials that Mary and Joseph had to endure as social and familial outcasts was very compelling.  I will never look at their diversion to the animals' stable in the same way again.  I also found the comparisons made between Genesis' Tree of Knowledge and Christ's cross to be very interesting.

There are many angles to the Christmas story that I have never considered before, and this concise book clearly presents them in a scriptural, deliberate way.  It is certainly worth 98 pages of reading to enhance your appreciation for what God has done for us in the birth of Christ Jesus the Messiah.

5 comments:

  1. This sounds like a good book! I like the cover of it and it really makes you think about christmas. :)

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  2. Nina:

    Yeah, the cover does look nice. And yes, the points he makes in the book have been on my mind since I started it. It makes for a less "commercialized" Christmas in my mind. And that's always a good thing!

    Laura

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  3. This does sound interesting. It is neat to hear different views or opinions on the view of that one great night.

    I do have to agree the cover does look amazing.

    Great review.

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  4. Hi, Laura -- I just wanted to say that I just posted an addendum comment on my blog today. I give you a sincere wish for a both a spiritually uplifting Christmas holyday and a joy filled day all around!

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  5. Julia:

    Thanks so much! I'm going to go check out your blog right now. If anyone else wants to join me, here's the link!

    http://passionate-reader-reviews.blogspot.com/2009/12/addendum.html

    And Julia, thanks for the interaction. You have a Merry Christmas Eve Eve!

    Laura

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